Roundup: England, Czech Republic to ease restrictions

Madrid Desk, Nov 23 (efe-epa).- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday will announce plans for England to emerge from a national lockdown with a return to a three-tiered restrictions system ahead of the Christmas holidays, while a curfew and other measures in place in the Czech Republic, which a few weeks ago was the worst-affected nation in the European Union, were being eased from Monday.

Meanwhile in Germany, the economy minister has been forced into self-isolation after he came into close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case, and Hungary is hoping to test some 240,000 teachers and school employees in the country.

UK

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday will announce a return to a three-tiered system of restrictions after a national lockdown in England ends on December 2.

The relaxation of measures will see the reopening of gyms and non-essential shops, which have been shut since November 5.

Johnson, who has been working in isolation from Downing Street after coming into contact with a confirmed coronavirus case, is due to outline the plan to MPs in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, with a vote on the proposal being held later in the week.

The government in Westminster has been in discussions with the leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland over allowing small gatherings over the Christmas period. Details of that plan are expected on Tuesday.

The three-tier system had been in place before the second lockdown was announced. It will mean that pubs and restaurants will be permitted to stay open one hour later, until 11pm.

Authorities are also planning to introduce a massive testing initiative, similar to one applied recently in Liverpool.

Other restrictions that will be eased, according to plans provided by the government over the weekend, will include the current ban on outdoor sporting activities.